WEBVTT SHAUN: BREAKING NEWS, CHILDREN'SHOSPITAL SAYS 7 OF ITS PATIENTSHAVE INFECTIONS AFTER UNDERGOINGCARDIAC SURGERY BETWEEN EARLYJUNE AND JULY.rtTHE HOSPITAL SAYS THE SURGICALSITE INFECTIONS WERE CAUSED BYMYCOBACTERIUM WHICH IS COMMONLYFOUND IN WATER, SOIL AND DUST. rtTHE HOSPITAL SAYS THEY BELIEVETHE BACTERIA MAY BE LINKED TO APIECE OF EQUIPMENT USED IN THEPROCEDURES.rtCHILDREN'S HOSPITAL SAYS ALL THEPATIENTS ARE CURRENTLYUNDERGOING TREATMENT AT THEHOSPITAL AND THE PIECE OFEQUIPMENT IN QUESTION HAS BEENREMOVED.MUCH MORE ON THIS STORY ON

Several children at Children's Hospital in New Orleans contracted a rare bacterial infection over the summer after undergoing cardiac surgery, officials confirmed.

Hospital officials told WDSU reporter Travers Mackel in a statement that seven children contracted the rare surgical-site infection cause by a bacteria commonly found in water, soil and dust.

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The bacteria, mycobacterium abcessus, was found on operating-room equipment. Officials said hospital staff took immediate action to address the issue, investigate and identify the cause. The reports have been sent to the Louisiana Office of Public Health.

"This is the first time Children’s Hospital has experienced surgical-site infections caused by mycobacterium," officials said in a statement. "We believe a piece of equipment used to regulate the temperature of patients while on bypass is the most likely source of this infection, and all suspected equipment has been removed from service and replaced."

The infections occurred in mid-August, officials said. The children who contracted the infection have been hospitalized and are undergoing successful treatment, officials said.

This isn't the first time the hospital in Uptown has faced a similar issue. Hospital officials revealed the deaths of five young patients in 2008 and 2009 were caused by a rare fungal infection linked to contaminated linen. The news was first reported by a medical journal years after the infections occurred.

"Children’s Hospital’s medical team is ensuring that each family is fully informed and that questions are answered, and the multidisciplinary team of cardiac surgeons, cardiac intensivists, cardiologists, and nurses are managing their clinical care.

"Upon discovery, hospital leadership took immediate action to address the issue, to investigate and identify the cause. Children’s Hospital has complied with all Louisiana Office of Public Health mandatory reporting requirements. Through the Office of Public Health, the hospital has enlisted the assistance and expertise of the Louisiana Office of Public Health, the Centers for Disease Control, and outside infection control consultants. Our response team has also consulted other hospitals that have dealt with the same issue in the past for guidance and information regarding lessons learned and best practices for treatment.

"Because a common element in the affected children was open-heart surgery requiring the use of cardiopulmonary bypass, our investigation focused on the environment and equipment used in the cardiac operating room. We believe a piece of equipment used to regulate the temperature of patients while on bypass is the most likely source of this infection, and all suspected equipment has been removed from service and replaced.

"Our investigation indicates that the risk appears to be limited to patients cared for in one operating room when a specific piece of equipment was used. This room has been terminally disinfected, and our ongoing environmental surveillance of the operating rooms has not shown any contamination with the organism beyond the involved device. We do not believe that patients that were treated in other operating rooms or other areas of the hospital are at risk for this infection from past or future care.

"The overwhelming majority of surgical patients treated at Children’s Hospital have not been affected by this rare mycobacterial infection. We regret that any of our patients could possibly be affected. No patient affected by this situation will incur additional clinical cost for resulting treatment or evaluation. Our thoughts are with those involved, and our ongoing priority is the continued safe and effective care for the patients who allow us the privilege of caring for them."